Planning

Sister Larson sets up a nice meal for the departing missionaries last dinner.  This the "back" of the mission home; although it's the area everyone uses to come and go

This week was a big food week.  I have pretty much taken back the duties of the lunches for missionaries.  It was the previous Referral Secretary’s job to take care of those, but we weren’t doing those for a while.  Now with so many new arrivals and nice weather, I am back in business.  Sister Larson took care of the first big group we had, since we were able to use the church building again.  Now I am the one.  Of course, Walt gets to help.  I told him it’s like being the Relief Society Assistant again.  

Tuesday, we had a tiny group, only 4 arrivals.  They are all re-assigned missionaries from foreign missions.  I decided since the group was so small, we could just set up in the shade on the mission home back yard.  I was keeping a good eye on how my calculations of food matched up with what they actually ate.  My one big mistake was using a different sub place.  The one I picked is a chain and well known.  Their subs were less expensive and they were much closer.  Boy was I disappointed.  Nice bread, but scarcely any meat and cheese.  Walt had suggested from the beginning that maybe we could make sandwiches and it would cost much less.  Now I was totally on board with that idea.  We went to Costco on Wednesday night and priced everything.  I looked up suggestion for amounts online and started working my figures.  We have two groups coming in next week - a total of 33 all together.  It’s all planned and food purchased Friday.  There are about 3 companionships of missionaries we saw Friday night in this area, that would be happy to help put it all together.  So this afternoon we had a sandwich making party.  Kate says it reminds her of when we had the picnic lunch after they were sealed in Provo.  

We had a good lesson with Hailey and the Newcastle missionaries on Zoom on Thursday,  Not sure she will get baptized before we come home, but being able to participate in the lessons is quite nice.  Both of the Newcastle Elders have now gone home - as of Friday, so we’ll see who gets put in there.  President Larson has a lot of changes for the mission board.  We had 21 go home on Friday, 4 arrived this week, 33 coming in next week, and transfers.  There will be some serious updating of charts and lists when the dust settles.  Job security!

Walt detailed our car on Thursday.  Inside was pretty dirty.  We still had Newcastle mud in lots of places inside.  After driving mission cars on occasion, it really seemed dirty.  We had a few days of nice weather and it was the perfect time.  It looks almost like a brand new car.  We are really liking it.  It was a lot of work, but he did a fantastic job. 

 Speaking of cars, we got our hitch put on our car.  We will be renting a small trailer to bring our stuff home.  Coming here, our car was filled to the brim, and we’ve acquired some things here.  People who know us well, aren’t really surprised at that statement.  Walt had purchased one online back when we were in Newcastle.  His plan was to install it himself, but decided to get some quotes on having it installed professionally.  One was pretty decent, $120 and it would take about and hour and half.  We got it back Friday.  The technician said it took over 5 hours to install.  Most of the bolts were rusted and really hard to remove, and tons of caked on dirt.  Walt is so glad he had someone else do it.  Well worth the money.

Friday, was departure day.  The tradition has been  Costco pizza and a veggie tray.  So Thursday,  I got all that together.  I decided to add brownies to the menu.  I have 4-5 brownie mixes left and figured making them for missionaries was a better plan than lugging them home.   They were a big hit.  I was grateful it was another nice day.  That meant lunch and hanging around outside instead of all around the Mission Office.  It is still fun to have them around.  We knew half of the missionaries going home.  We took lots of selfies with them.  That’s probably all the pictures we have this week.

Elder G. Leavitt, Elder Viazzo and Elder Crandall

Us with Elder Fausett.  He was one of the AP's.

Us with Elder Greenwood

Us with Elder McCollum (from NJ), Elder J. Leavitt and Elder Mumford (the other AP)

 Us with Elder Mosher

Us with Elder Walker, Elder Bachler, and Elder Palmer.  Elder Bachler didn't go home, we just let him be in the picture since he is our old Zone Leader

Us with Elder G. Leavitt, and Elder Viazzo

Us with Sister Maybe

Us with Elder Steelman

Elder Bachler, Elder Hunt, and Elder Wright

Saturday was raining all day.  We looked at all the places around us for a hiking adventure, and it was raining everywhere.  I guess a big storm was just hanging over Montana and Wyoming.  So we decided to have a pre-pack.  We’re going through our stuff and purging the unwanted things.  Then of course, there is a maybe pile, depending on space.  We also packed all the things we wouldn’t be using in the next 6 weeks.  It was something that had to be done eventually.  It was just a good day for it.  We tried to give the donating things to Goodwill but the donation part was already closed.  There is a place a lot closer to us that is run by a church, so Tuesday we will take it there.

When we got to church this morning, all the missionaries cars were parked like this.  It's so they don't have to back-up.  When they back up, the passenger has to get out and guide them.  I just thought this was funny.

Today, we joined the missionaries in our district for a sacrament service.  It isn’t like Sacrament Meeting with speakers and such.  We sing, pray and pass the sacrament.  We also each shared a spiritual experience from either our mission or before.  One of the newly arrived sisters plays the piano.  It was so wonderful to have live music and sing hymns.  I think I have missed that more than anything with not having church.  Things are changing in that area.  The First Presidency has announced that small gatherings using much social distancing and safe practices may start happening.  It has to meet with local government guidelines and the logistics are determined by local leaders.  We are still waiting to see what is determined here.  Since our group was only 8 people, it was good.  I think we will participate with them every Sunday until we go home.  Of course, the more traditional service could reopen by then.  

Food all prepped for the arrival lunches on Monday and Tuesday.  Such wonderful helpers

Afterwards, we had out lunch prep party.  I brought a breakfast cake to show our gratitude.  They sure made fast work of everything.  We were so grateful to have their help.  Tomorrow is the big day.  The first of a very busy week.  We’ve got this!!

Our lunch prepares.  Elder Christiansen, Elder Black, Elder Liddiard, Elder Zarcor, Sister Day-Gomes, and Sister Anderson.  

It won’t be long before we are back.  6 weeks is going to fly by.  Whenever the other missionaries find out we are going home so soon, they all look so sad.  It’s nice they like us so much.  If we could have our family here with us, we would stay and help.  But we miss our family so much.  Abe and Anya and the kids will be moving into their newly remodeled home in the next week or so.  It really looks amazing.  They have done a good job and will really enjoy being in there own place.  

We love and miss you all.  Stay healthy